Providing Priming Cues to a User of an Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device can output a priming cue prior to outputting an alert on the electronic device. A priming cue can be a haptic priming cue, a visual priming cue, an audio priming cue, or various combinations of these priming cues. The priming cue can be perceived by a user either consciously or subconsciously and can increase a user&#39;s perceptual state for the alert.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/210,562, filed Dec. 5, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/562,465, filed Dec. 5, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.10,186,138, which is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/044,982,filed Sep. 2, 2014, entitled the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to providing alerts to users of electronicdevices, and more particularly to priming an alert.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have become ubiquitous in people's daily lives.Certain electronic devices such as cell phones, tablet computingdevices, personal digital assistants, and the like have become commonitems in the workplace and at home. Some of these electronic devicesinclude an ability to notify or alert a user to a particular item ofinterest, such as, for example, an incoming email or text message.However, in some situations, an alert may be inadvertently ignored bythe user. The user's perception system may not detect the alert at all,or may be slow to detect the alert.

SUMMARY

An electronic device can output one or more priming cues prior tooutputting one or more alerts on the electronic device. A priming cuecan be a haptic priming cue, a visual priming cue, an audio priming cue,or various combinations of these priming cues. The priming cue can beperceived by a user either consciously or subconsciously, and maysubliminally or unconsciously increase the awareness of the user withoutspecifically attracting the user's attention to the priming cue. Thepriming cue can heighten the awareness of the user or place the user ina more receptive state for perceiving the alert. In some situations, thepriming cue can decrease a user's reaction time for perceiving thealert. The priming cue may be imperceptible or barely perceptible forthe entire duration of the priming cue in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, the priming cue may be imperceptible or barely perceptiblefor a portion of the duration and perceptible for the remaining portionof the duration.

The stimulus that constitutes the priming cue may be uniform during theduration of the priming cue; can vary over the duration of the primingcue; or can vary for only a portion of the duration of the priming cue.As one example, the stimulus can vary (e.g., increase) over time. Forexample, the frequency, intensity, and/or the rhythm can vary during theduration. Additionally or alternatively, the stimulus can pulse(increase and decrease in intensity) during some or all of the duration.Additionally or alternatively, the priming cue can mimic known patterns,sounds, or representations (e.g., image). As one example, the primingcue can mimic a heartbeat. In some embodiments, the variance in thestimulus may be noticeable by the user.

In one aspect, a method for priming an alert on an electronic device caninclude

-   -   detecting an action that is associated with the alert and        determining whether a priming cue is to be produced for the        alert based on one or more factors. If a priming cue is to be        produced, the priming cue for the alert is output on the        electronic device. The alert is then output on the electronic        device, where the alert is offset in time from the priming cue        by a period of time. The one or more factors can include, but        are not limited to, the type of alert to be output, one or more        environmental conditions, and/or the motion (or lack thereof) of        the electronic device.

The period of time can be fixed for each priming cue, or the period oftime can vary depending on one or more characteristics of the primingcue and/or of the alert. For example, the type of priming cue and/or thealert (e.g., haptic, audio, visual), the intensity of the priming cueand/or of alert, and/or the duration of the priming cue and/or of thealert can influence the amount of time that exists between the primingcue and the alert.

In another aspect, a method for priming a user for the receipt of analert in an electronic device can include providing a priming cue to theuser on the electronic device, and determining whether a user hasresponded to the priming cue. If the user responds to the priming cue,an alert may be provided to the user on the electronic device. In someembodiments, a stimulus of the priming cue can be modified if the userdoes not respond to the priming cue. In some embodiments, adetermination may also be made as to whether or not a user responds tothe alert. If the user does not respond to the alert, one or morecharacteristics of the alert may be modified. For example, an intensityand/or a duration of a priming cue may be modified if the user does notrespond to the priming cue. Similarly, an intensity and/or a duration ofan alert may be modified if the user does not respond to the alert.

In yet another aspect, an electronic device can include a priming andalert system, an input/output device operably connected to the primingand alert system, and a processing device operably connected to thepriming and alert system and adapted to cause the priming and alertsystem to provide a priming cue to a user. The priming and alert systemcan include a haptic module, an audio module, and/or a visual module.The processing device may also be adapted to cause the priming and alertsystem to provide an alert to the user after the priming cue is providedto the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical features that are common tothe figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an electronic device thatcan produce a priming cue prior to outputting an alert;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the electronic device 100shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample output from a sample electronic device,including both a priming cue and an alert waveform;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a first method of outputting a priming cueprior to an alert being produced in an electronic device;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second method of outputting a priming cuebefore an alert is produced in an electronic device;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of outputting a priming cue to a groupof users prior to an alert to be received on their electronic devices;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of a third party causing a priming cueto be produced before an alert is output on an electronic device; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of identifying and outputting primingcues and alerts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device can present one or more alerts to a user based onthe detection of an event or action. For example, a user can be alertedto the receipt of an email or text, or of an impending meeting orappointment scheduled in a calendar program. Each alert may define adistinct alert that may include multiple elements that provide differenttypes of stimuli to the user. For example, an alert may define an audioalert, a visual alert, a haptic alert, or various combinations of thesealerts. The combinations of alerts can occur concurrently,consecutively, or with some overlap in time.

Alerts by themselves, however, are not always noticed by a user. Theenvironment may be distracting or the user may be otherwise distracted.Further, in some situations it may be useful to emit an alert at a lowpower, which may cause the perceptibility of the alert to be diminished.This may be useful when the battery has a low charge and a tradeoff maybe made between the alert strength and charge conservation, for example.

Thus, certain embodiments may preface an alert with a priming cue. Thepriming cue may be an output that is minimally perceptible orsubconsciously perceptible by a user of an electronic device. In oneembodiment, the priming cue is of a mode different than that of thealert itself. For example, the priming cue may be a haptic output whilethe alert is an audio output. In such an example, the haptic output ofthe priming cue may be designed to cause sufficiently small motions inthe electronic device that the user may be placed in a state ofheightened awareness without being explicitly aware of the priming cue.The user, while in this state, may be more receptive to the alert andtherefore may notice it more quickly (or at all). As another example,the priming cue may take the form of a light or graphic flashing on adisplay at a rate too fast to be consciously perceived by the human eye,but subconsciously registered, thereby drawing the user's attention tothe device and priming the user to receive the alert.

In other embodiments, the priming cue is the same mode as that of thealert or of components of the alert. For example, a priming cue and analert may both be haptic outputs. Alternatively, a priming cue may be anaudio output, while an alert is a composition of an audio output and avisual output.

In certain embodiments the priming cue may be generated only when thedevice determines a priming cue is to be output, instead of before everyalert. The electronic device may determine any or all of the last timeat which a user interacted with the electronic device, the currentactivity and/or operational state of the electronic device, the user'scurrent action, the presence or absence of environmental factors such asnoise, bright light, and so on, and use these to intelligently determineif a priming cue should be output, if so, the strength of the primingcue.

As discussed above, embodiments described herein provide one or morepriming cues to a user prior to issuing an alert. Each priming cue cantake the form of a stimulus that is delivered as a haptic priming cue, avisual priming cue, an audio priming cue, or various combinations ofthese priming cues. The priming cue can be perceived by the user eitherconsciously or subconsciously. A priming cue can prepare the user toperceive the stimulus of the alert, and in some situations, the primingcue may reduce a user's reaction time for perceiving the alert. In someembodiments, the priming cue may not be noticeable by the user, butinstead causes the user to be in a state of heightened awareness thatmakes the user more likely to perceive an alert that exceeds aperceptual threshold (e.g., is sufficiently loud, bright, forceful,stirring, and so on).

Generally, the stimulus that constitutes the priming cue may be uniformduring the duration of the priming cue; can vary over the duration ofthe priming cue; or can vary for only a portion of the duration of thepriming cue. As one example, the stimulus can vary over time. Forexample, the frequency, intensity, and/or the rhythm can vary during theduration. Additionally or alternatively, the stimulus can pulse(increase and decrease in intensity) during some or all of the duration.Additionally or alternatively, the priming cue can mimic known patterns,sounds, or representations (e.g., image). As one example, the primingcue can mimic a heartbeat. In some cases, a variable priming cue may beoutput by the electronic device until input is received from the user.For example, the user may touch the screen of the electronic device orprovide another form of input that is received by the electronic device.In response to receiving the input, the electronic device may output analert or an alert that is uniform or varies over some or all of theduration of the alert.

In some embodiments, an electronic device can detect the presence ofother electronic devices that are located within a given distance of theelectronic device. A priming cue can be provided to the multipleelectronic devices at substantially the same time. As one example, agroup of users may be in a meeting and a subset of the users may receivea priming cue and an alert for the same reason and at substantially thesame time.

A third party may activate a priming cue in some embodiments. The thirdparty may select the type of priming cue (e.g., haptic, audio, visual,or combinations thereof) to be provided to the user. Alternatively, thetype of priming cue that is presented to the user can be based on howthe user has configured his or her electronic device (e.g., with apreferences menu). As one example, the Emergency Alert System maytrigger a priming cue and alert in the event of a national or regionalemergency. Alternatively, a restaurant may trigger a priming cue andalert to inform a user that a table is available for the user. Asanother example, a transportation system, such as an airline or lightrail system can trigger a priming cue and alert to inform a user that aplane is boarding or a light rail train is arriving or departing from astation.

The implementations described above may be implemented on an electronicdevice that is configured to produce one or more forms of output to theuser. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an electronicdevice that can output a priming cue prior to providing an alert to auser. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device 100 isimplemented as a wearable communication device. The wearablecommunication device may be configured to provide, for example, wirelesselectronic communication from other devices and/or health-relatedinformation or data such as but not limited heart rate data, bloodpressure data, temperature data, oxygen level data, diet/nutritioninformation, medical reminders, health-related tips or information, orother health-related data.

Other embodiments can implement the electronic device differently. Forexample, the electronic device can be a smart telephone, a gamingdevice, a digital music player, a tablet computing device, and othertypes of portable and consumer electronic devices that provide alerts toa user.

The electronic device 100 includes an enclosure 102 at least partiallysurrounding a display 104 and one or more buttons 106 or input devices.The enclosure 102 can form an outer surface or partial outer surface andprotective case for the internal components of the electronic device100, and may at least partially surround the display 104. The enclosure102 can be formed of one or more components operably connected together,such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure 102can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display 104.

The display 104 can be implemented with any suitable technology,including, but not limited to, a multi-touch sensing touch screen thatuses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED)technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organicelectroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of displaytechnology.

The button 106 can take the form of a home button, which may be amechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does notphysically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on a displayor on an input region, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, thebutton 106 can be an input/output device that allows the user tointeract with one or more functions and/or applications in the wearablecommunication device 100. Other mechanisms may be used as input/outputdevices, such as a speaker, a microphone, an on/off button, a mutebutton, or a sleep button. In some embodiments, the button 106 can beintegrated as part of a cover glass of the electronic device.

The electronic device 100 can be permanently or removably attached to aband 108. The band 108 can be made of any suitable material, including,but not limited to, leather, metal, rubber or silicon, fabric, andceramic. In the illustrated embodiment, the band is a wristband thatwraps around the user's wrist. The wristband can include an attachmentmechanism (not shown), such as a bracelet clasp, Velcro, and magneticconnectors. In other embodiments, the band can be elastic or stretchysuch that it fits over the hand of the user and does not include anattachment mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the electronic device 100shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 100 can include the display 104,one or more processing devices 200, memory 202, one or more input/output(I/O) devices 204, one or more sensors 206, a power source 208, anetwork communications interface 210, tactile sensing device 211, and apriming and alert system 212. The display 104 may provide an image orvideo output for the electronic device 100. The electronic device mayalso have an input surface for one or more input devices, such as, forexample, a touch sensing device and/or a fingerprint sensor. The display104 may be substantially any size and may be positioned substantiallyanywhere on the electronic device 100.

The processing device 200 can control some or all of the operations ofthe electronic device 100. The processing device 200 can communicate,either directly or indirectly with substantially all of the componentsof the electronic device 100. For example, a system bus or signal line214 or other communication mechanisms can provide communication betweenthe processing device(s) 200, the memory 202, the I/O device(s) 204, thesensor(s) 206, the power source 208, the network communicationsinterface 210, the tactile sensing device 211, and/or the priming andalert system 212. The one or more processing devices 200 can beimplemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving,or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processingdevice(s) 200 can each be a microprocessor, a central processing unit(CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As describedherein, the term “processing device” is meant to encompass a singleprocessor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processingunits, or other suitably configured computing element or elements.

The memory 202 can store electronic data that can be used by theelectronic device 100. For example, a memory can store electrical dataor content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents andapplications, device settings and user preferences, timing and controlsignals or data for the priming and alert system 212, data structures ordatabases, and so on. The memory 202 may also store application programsthat may be executed by the processing device(s) 200. Exampleapplication programs include, but are not limited to, phone programs,e-mail programs, personal information management (PIM) programs, wordprocessing programs, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs,messaging programs, and the like. The memory 202 can be configured asany type of memory. By way of example only, the memory can beimplemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory,removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations ofsuch devices.

The one or more I/O devices 204 can transmit and/or receive data to andfrom a user or another electronic device. One example of an I/O deviceis button 106 in FIG. 1. The I/O device(s) 204 can include the display104, a touch sensing input surface such as a track pad, one or morebuttons, one or more microphones or speakers, one or more actuators, oneor more ports such as a microphone port, and/or a keyboard.

The electronic device 100 may also include one or more sensors 206positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device 100. Thesensor or sensors 206 may be configured to sense substantially any typeof characteristic, such as but not limited to, images, pressure, light,touch, heat, position, motion, and so on. For example, the sensor(s) 206may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, a light or optical sensor, apressure transducer, a magnet, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and so on.

The power source 208 can be implemented with any device capable ofproviding energy to the electronic device 100. For example, the powersource 208 can be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries, or aconnection cable that connects the remote control device to anotherpower source such as a wall outlet. Additionally or alternatively, thepower source 208 may be a wireless energy transfer system, such as aninductive energy transfer system, that provides power to the electronicdevice to recharge the batteries or to operate the electronic device.

The network communication interface 210 can facilitate transmission ofdata to or from other electronic devices. For example, a networkcommunication interface can transmit electronic signals via a wirelessand/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired networkconnections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,IR, and Ethernet.

The tactile sensing device 211 is configured to receive tactile inputfrom a user, such as, for example, one or more touch and/or forceinputs. As described earlier, the display 104 can be a multi-touchsensing touchscreen. Additionally or alternatively, a tactile sensingdevice 211 may be a fingerprint sensing that captures fingerprint datafrom a user of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the tactilesensing device 211, or components of a tactile sensing device, can beintegrated into one or more other components of the electronic device100. As one example, a fingerprint sensing device may be included in atleast a portion of the display 104. As another example, a tactilesensing device can be a touch sensing input surface of a track pad orother I/O device 204.

The priming and alert system 212 can be adapted to provide priming cuesand alerts via a haptic module 216, an audio module 218, and/or a visualmodule 220. A “module,” as used herein, may be a hardware, firmware, orsoftware component with particular functionality, operations, and/oroutput. It should be appreciated that certain modules may be combinedwith one another or otherwise integrated together. The haptic module 216can include an element that produces haptic feedback and the hapticmodule 216 is configured to produce a signal that is received by theelement that produces haptic feedback. In the illustrated embodiment,the haptic module 216 includes one or more actuators 222 that receivesignals from the haptic module 216. The actuator(s) 222 produce hapticfeedback (e.g., vibrations) based on the signals received from thehaptic module 216. The actuator(s) generate the haptic feedback as partof an I/O device 204 (e.g., a surface of the enclosure 102 or the band108 in FIG. 1). The actuator(s) can move in one direction or multipledirections to provide a haptic priming cue to the user. For example, anactuator can translate in a horizontal direction (e.g., translate inparallel with or across the width of the user's wrist) and output one ormore taps or vibrations that the user senses either consciously orsubconsciously. The one or more actuators 222 may be configured as anysuitable actuator. As a non-limiting example, an actuator 222 can be alinear electromagnetic actuator.

The audio module 218 is configured to produce audible priming cues andalerts. The audio module 218 can produce a signal that is received by anelement that produces an audio output. In the illustrated embodiment,the audio module 218 includes a speaker 224 that receives signals fromthe audio module 218 and generates an audio output based on the receivedsignals. Example audio outputs include, but are not limited to, a toneand a musical composition.

The visual module 220 may be used to provide visual priming cues andalerts to a user of the electronic device. In the illustratedembodiment, visual module 220 can include a light source 226 thatreceives signals from the visual module 220 and generates a visualoutput based on the received signals. Thus, the light source 226 may bepart of the I/O device 204. Any suitable type of light source may beused. As one example, the light source can be one or more light emittingdiodes.

Additionally or alternatively, the visual module 220 can transmitsignals to the display 104 that cause the display to generate a visualoutput based on the received signals. As one example, the visual primingcue may be output by the display around only the periphery or edges ofthe display, or along a subset of the edges (e.g., one or two) of thedisplay.

A processing device 228 may be included in the priming and alert system212. The processing device 228 may be any suitable type of processingdevice. The processing device 228 can provide the signals for eachmodule 216, 218, 220 in the priming and alert system 212. In oneembodiment, the signals for the actuator 222, the speaker 224, and thedisplay 104 can be stored in memory 202 and accessed by the processingdevice 228.

In another embodiment, the processing device 228 is not included in thepriming and alert system 212 and the processing device 200 providessignals to the modules 216, 218, 220. Additionally or alternatively, theprocessing devices 200 and 228 can control and provide signals to themodules 216, 218, 220 by combined or distributed processing.

In some embodiments, a processing device 230 in an external device 232can cause the priming and alert system 212 to present a priming cueand/or an alert to a user. The processing device 230 can transmit asignal to the electronic device 100 using, for example, a network/comm.interface 234 (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth) operably connected tothe processing device 230. As is described in more detail later, aprocessing device operated by a third party, such as a restaurant or apublic transportation system, may trigger the priming and alert system212 to present a priming cue and/or an alert to a user.

Accordingly, alerts may be generated: upon receipt of data by the devicefrom an external source (text messages, emails, phone calls, warningsystems, and the like); by an application (for example, to indicate thata user input is requested); upon reaching a certain time (for example, atime at which a calendar entry occurs); by an operational state of theelectronic device (for example, a low battery charge, an upgrade to theoperating system of the device, the device temperature reaching acertain point, and so on); through a user-initiated setting (an alarmset to occur at a certain time); due to geographic factors (entering orexiting a certain area); proximity (as another person with anotherelectronic device is nearby); and so on. These and other alertconditions will be appreciated upon reading this document in itsentirety.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sample output from a sample electronic device,including both a priming cue 300 and an alert waveform 302. As shown,the amplitude of the priming cue 300 may be substantially lower thanthat of the alert 302, since the priming cue is not designed to actuallydraw the user's attention to an outputting electronic device but insteadof place the user in a state of heightened or subliminal awareness.Additionally, the illustrated priming cue 300 increases in amplitudeover time. The maximum amplitude of the priming cue 300, however,remains below the amplitude(s) of the alert 302. In other embodiments,the priming cue 300 can be constant over time. Thus, as previouslymentioned, the priming cue facilitates the user's awareness of the alertwhen the alert actually occurs.

Additionally or alternatively, the amplitude of the alert 302 can varyover time or have a constant amplitude. The alert 302 shown in FIG. 3increases to a maximum second amplitude from a first amplitude. Otherembodiments can gradually increase the amplitude over the entire timethe alert is output. Alternatively, the amplitude of the alert canremain constant. The constant amplitude may be the maximum amplitude oran amplitude that is less than the maximum amplitude.

As also shown in FIG. 3, a time delay 304 may separate the priming cue300 and the alert waveform 302. The delay 304 may cause an anticipatoryreaction in the user insofar as the priming cue has ended but no otheraction has occurred. Further, the delay 304 ensures that the priming cueand the alert do not meld into one another. It should be appreciatedthat the timing delay is entirely optional and may be omitted in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the time delay 304 can permit an element thatproduced a priming cue to return to a nominal or settled state beforethe same element is used to generate an alert. As one example, a primingcue waveform can be received by an actuator to output a priming cue. Thetime delay allows the actuator to return to a settled state before theactuator receives an alert waveform. Allowing the actuator to return tothe settled state ensures the moving component in the actuator does notmove in an unpredictable or undesirable manner.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart of a first method ofoutputting a priming cue prior to the production of an alert. Initially,as shown in block 400, the electronic device detects the occurrence ofan action that is associated with, or produces an alert that ispresented to a user. As one example, the action may be the receipt of anemail or text message. As another example, the action may be a reminderfor a calendar entry.

A determination may then be made at block 402 as to whether or not apriming cue is to be output based on the detected occurrence ornon-occurrence of an action. In some embodiments, an electronic devicecan detect certain factors and determine whether or not to present apriming cue to a user based on the factors. As one example, anelectronic device may detect a user has not interacted with theelectronic device within a given period of time. For example, a user maynot have provided an input on a touch screen for a given period of time,may not have provided a voice command to the device recently, or mayhave provided (or not) some other type of input within a period.Alternatively, one or more sensors associated with the electronic device(e.g., sensors 206 in FIG. 2) may not have produced an output thatindicates the electronic device has moved within the given period oftime. As yet another option, the device may determine aspects of anenvironment through environmental sensors and use that data to determinewhether or not a priming cue would facilitate perception of the alert.For example, in a dark environment, there may be no need for a primingcue to precede a visual alert because the impact of the visual alertwill be magnified under the circumstances. The same is true with respectto an audio alert in a quiet environment. Conversely, some environmentalfactors (e.g., noise, light) may increase the likelihood that the devicewill initiate a priming cue.

In some embodiments, a motion sensor may be used to determine if a useris walking, running, or engaging in physical activity. If so, the devicemay be more likely to initiate a priming cue, as the user is occupied inactivities that occupy some significant portion of his or her attention.Certain embodiments may employ biometric sensors, such as PPG sensors,to track a user's heart rate in order to determine how strenuous anactivity is and use that data to modify the strength of a priming cueLikewise, a device sensor may measure skin conductance to determine howclose the device is to the user's skin; higher values may indicate alooser connection and/or greater distance between device and skin.Again, such data may be used to determine whether or not to initiate apriming cue and to determine the strength thereof. The motion sensor maylikewise be used to determine a user's engagement with the electronicdevice, for example, whether the user has picked up the device recentlyor is holding the device in a position that indicates the user islooking at the device. In such cases, the device may decide not togenerate a priming cue or to mitigate the strength of the priming cue.

If a determination is made at block 402 that a priming cue is to beoutput, the priming cue is generated at block 404. The priming cue maytake the form of one or more stimuli that is presented to the user. Forexample, a stimulus in the form of a haptic priming cue may be providedto the user. The haptic priming cue may be more personal and private insome situations compared to a visual or audio priming cue. An audiopriming cue and/or a visual priming cue can be produced at block 404instead of, or in addition to, a haptic priming cue.

As described earlier, the priming cue can be perceived by a user eitherconsciously or subconsciously, and may subliminally or unconsciouslyincrease the sensitivity of the user without specifically attracting theuser's attention to the priming cue. The priming cue can heighten theawareness of the user or place the user in a more sensitive or receptivestate for perceiving the alert. The priming cue may be imperceptible orbarely perceptible for the entire duration of the priming cue in oneembodiment. In another embodiment, the priming cue may be imperceptibleor barely perceptible for a portion of the duration and perceptible forthe remaining portion of the duration. And in yet another embodiment,the priming cue may be perceptible for the duration of the priming cue.

A given first period of time can then pass at block 406. The priming cuemay end prior to block 406, or the priming cue can continue during someor all of the wait period. Any suitable amount of time can be used inblock 406. In some embodiments, the amount of time is fixed for eachpriming cue. In other embodiments, the amount of time can vary dependingon one or more characteristics of the priming cue. For example, the typeof priming cue (e.g., haptic, audio, or visual), the duration of thepriming cue, and/or the intensity of the stimulus of the priming cue caninfluence the amount of time in block 406. A lesser amount of time canpass in block 406 when the intensity of the stimulus is strong orgreater. Conversely, a greater amount of time can pass in block 406 whenthe intensity of the stimulus is weaker. As another example, a lesseramount of time can pass in block 406 when the duration of the stimulusfor the priming cue is greater, while a greater amount of time can passwhen the duration of the stimulus is longer.

Additionally or alternatively, the amount of time in block 406 can varydepending on one or more characteristics of the first alert to beproduced. For example, the type of alert (e.g., haptic, visual, oraudio), the duration, and/or the intensity of the alert stimulus caninfluence the amount of time in block 406. A lesser amount of time canpass in block 406 when the intensity of the stimulus is weaker.Conversely, a greater amount of time can pass in block 406 when theintensity of the stimulus is greater. As another example, a lesseramount of time can pass in block 406 when the duration of the stimulusfor the alert is greater, while a greater amount of time can pass whenthe duration of the stimulus is longer.

If a priming cue will not be output at block 402, or after the givenamount of time has passed at block 406, the alert is produced at block408. The first alert that is output to the user in block 408 can havethe same modality or a different modality as the priming cue, ormodalities of portions of the alert and priming cue can be the same. Asone example, the priming cue and the alert have the same modality if ahaptic priming cue is provided at block 404 and a haptic alert isproduced at block 408. As another example, the priming cue and the alertare different modalities if a haptic priming cue is presented at block404 and an audio alert is provided at block 408. As another example,modalities of portions of the priming cue and alert can be the same if ahaptic priming cue is presented at block 404 and an audio and hapticalert is provided at block 408.

A given second period of time can pass at block 410 before a secondalert is output to the user (block 412). The second period of time canbe fixed or variable, and may be the same amount of time or a differentamount of time as the first period of time in block 406. One or morecharacteristics of the first alert and/or of the second alert caninfluence the amount of time that passes at block 410. For example, thestimulus type (e.g., haptic or audio), the intensity of the stimulus,and/or the duration of the stimulus of the first and/or second alert caninfluence the amount of time in the second time period.

In some embodiments, for select second alerts the second period of timecan be zero and the second alert is combined with the first alert toform a composition. In other words, the two alerts can be synchronizedwith the second alert output to the user immediately after the firstalert. As one example, an audio alert can be provided to a userimmediately after a haptic alert. The select second alerts can beselected based on one or more characteristics of the first alert. Forexample, the stimulus type (e.g., haptic or audio), the intensity of thestimulus, and/or the duration of the stimulus of the first alert caninfluence the amount of time in the second given period of time in block410. In some embodiments, the second alerts can be selected based atleast in part on the alert conditions. Different types of alerts havedifferent alert conditions. As one example, a second period of time canfollow a haptic alert that is produced with an increased or highintensity to permit the moving component of the actuator to settlebefore the actuator produces a second alert.

Additionally or alternatively, the second alert may be presented to theuser substantially simultaneously with the first alert, or the secondalert can be presented with some overlap in time with the first alert.

One or more characteristics of the first alert can also influence acharacteristic or characteristics of the second alert provided to theuser at block 412. For example, the stimulus type (e.g., haptic oraudio), the intensity of the stimulus, and/or the duration of thestimulus of the first alert can influence the stimulus type, theintensity of the stimulus, and/or the duration of the stimulus of thesecond alert. In some embodiments, a second alert may not be presentedto the user. For example, a second alert may not be provided to the userfor select first alerts. Alternatively, an electronic device can beconfigured to not provide a second alert to a user. As another example,the second alert may or may not be preceded by its own priming cue; theelectronic device may employ the same parameters and analysis asdescribed elsewhere herein to determine whether a second alert ispreceded by a second priming cue (in the event the first and secondalerts are not simultaneously presented).

In some embodiments, more than two alerts can be output to a user. Eachalert can be separated by a period of time, or some alerts may bepresented to a user as a composition without any time breaks between thealerts (e.g., the alerts may be provided concurrently, consecutively, orwith some overlap in time). In some embodiments, a second priming cuemay be presented to the user after a certain number of alerts have beenproduced. Adding a priming cue after a certain number of alerts canreduce the likelihood that a user will develop “alert fatigue”, wherethe alerts become annoying or irritating to the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second method of outputting a priming cuebefore an alert is produced in an electronic device. Initially, theelectronic device may detect at block 500 the occurrence of an actionthat is associated with, or produces an alert. Alternatively, theelectronic device can detect the absence of an action at block 500. Adetermination may then be made at block 502 as to whether or not apriming cue is to be output to a user. If so, a priming cue is output toa user at block 502.

A determination may be made at block 504 as to whether or not a user hasresponded to the priming cue. As one example, a user can touch a touchscreen or a given area of an enclosure of the electronic device torespond to the priming cue. Alternatively, a user can perform a gestureto respond to the priming cue. As another example, an image sensor inthe electronic device can be used to monitor the user's gaze. A primingcue may be output, for example, if the user has not looked at theelectronic device over a given period of time. Alternatively, a motionsensor (e.g., gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, etc.) can detectthe absence of motion for the electronic device over a given period oftime, and a priming cue can be generated if the electronic device hasnot moved during the given period of time.

If a response is not received from the user at block 504, the processpasses to block 506 where a determination is made as to whether or not atime period for providing a priming cue to the user has expired. If not,at least one characteristic of the stimulus of the priming cue can bemodified at block 508 and the method returns to block 504. For example,the type of stimulus can be changed and/or the duration of the stimuluscan be increased at block 508

If the time period for providing a priming cue to the user has ended,the electronic device can take an action at block 510. For example, theelectronic device can wait for a given amount of time and thenre-present the same priming cue or a different priming cue.Alternatively, the electronic device may determine the user is not ableto perceive the priming cue or is not wearing the electronic devicebased an output received from one or more sensors in the electronicdevice. As one example, the output from the one or more sensors may beused to determine or estimate a noise level and/or a light level of theenvironmental conditions associated with the electronic device. Based onthe noise level and/or the light level, the electronic device maydetermine the user is unable to perceive the priming cue and may stoppresenting the priming cue to the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the output from one or more sensors canbe used to determine a motion level of the electronic device. Based onthe motion level (e.g., no motion for a given period of time), theelectronic device may determine the user is not wearing the electronicdevice. Alternatively, if the motion level is high (e.g., the user isexercising), the electronic device can determine the user is not able toperceive the priming cue and may stop outputting the priming cue. Asanother example, the processing device in the electronic device candetect the battery is being charged using, for example, a power cord ora wireless energy transfer system, and determine the user is not wearingthe electronic device.

Returning to blocks 502 and 504, if a priming cue will not be output atblock 502, or if a response is received based on the priming cue atblock 404, the process continues at block 512 where an alert is outputto the user. The alert can be a single alert (e.g., a haptic alert) or acombination of alerts that form a composition. The combination of alertsmay have the same or different modalities and may or may not beseparated by a period of time.

A determination may then be made at block 514 as to whether or not theuser has responded to the alert. If not, the process passes to block 516where a determination is made as to whether or not a time period forproviding the alert to the user has expired. If not, one or morecharacteristics of the stimulus of the alert can be modified at block518 and the method returns to block 514. For example, the type ofstimulus can be changed and/or the duration of the stimulus can beincreased at block 518.

If the time period for providing an alert has ended, the electronicdevice can take an action at block 520. Similar to the priming cue, theelectronic device can wait for a given amount of time and thenre-present the same or a different alert. Alternatively, the electronicdevice may determine the user is not able to perceive the alert or isnot wearing the electronic device based an output received from one ormore sensors in the electronic device. Additionally or alternatively,the output from one or more sensors can be used to determine a motionlevel of the electronic device, and based on the motion level, theelectronic device may determine the user is not wearing the electronicdevice or is not able to perceive the alert.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a method of outputting a primingcue to a group of users prior to an alert to be received on theirelectronic devices. In some embodiments, a priming cue and an alert maybe sent to the group of users for the same reason and at substantiallythe same time. Initially, as shown in block 600, an electronic devicedetects the presence of one or more other electronic devices locatedwithin a given distance from the electronic device. The electronicdevice that detects the presence of the other electronic devices may bean electronic device of one of the users in the group of users, or aseparate electronic device that is in communication with the electronicdevices in the group of users. As one example, an electronic device candetect another electronic device using a network communication interface(e.g., network communication interface 210 in FIG. 2) such as Bluetooth.

A determination may then be made at block 602 as to whether or not analert is to be received by two or more of the electronic devices. If so,a determination can be made at block 604 as to whether or not a primingcue is to be output by the electronic devices. If so, a priming cue isoutput by the electronic devices at block 606 based on an impendingevent or action. Each electronic device can produce the same type ofpriming cue or one or more electronic devices can output differentpriming cues. The type of priming cue output by an electronic device maybe based on how a user has configured the electronic device (e.g.,through a preferences menu). As described previously, the priming cuescan direct or focus the user's attention and prepare the users toperceive, either consciously or subconsciously, the stimulus of a laterreceived alert. The priming cues may decrease the user's reaction timefor perceiving the subsequent alert.

A first given period of time can pass at block 608 before an alert isoutput by the electronic devices at block 610. Again, the same amount oftime can pass for each user or a different amount of time can be used atblock 608 for one or more users. The amount of time that passes in block608 can be based on the type of stimulus for the alert and/or how a userhas configured his or her electronic device (e.g., through a preferencesmenu).

Any suitable amount of time can be used in block 608. In someembodiments, the amount of time is fixed for each priming cue. In otherembodiments, the amount of time can vary depending on one or morecharacteristics of the priming cue and/or of the alert to be output bythe electronic devices. For example, the stimulus strength of thepriming cue can influence the amount of time in block 608. A lesseramount of time can pass in block 608 when the intensity of the stimulusis strong or greater. As another example, a lesser amount of time canpass in block 608 when the duration of the stimulus for the priming cueis greater, while a greater amount of time can pass when the duration ofthe stimulus is longer.

The alert that is output in block 610 can have the same modality or adifferent modality as the priming cue. Additionally, the alert can be asingle alert or a combination of alerts that form a composition. Thecombination of alerts in the composition may have the same or differentmodalities and may or may not be separated by a period of time. Someusers may receive a single alert and other users a combination ofalerts, depending on the event that provides the alert, the type ofalert, and/or how a user has configured his or her electronic device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of a third party causing a priming cueto be produced before an alert is output on an electronic device.Initially, a third party may trigger the priming and alert system atblock 700. As one example, a processing device associated with the thirdparty (e.g., processing device 230 in FIG. 2) may transmit a signal thatactivates the priming and alert system in a user's electronic device.

A determination may then be made at block 702 as to whether or not apriming cue is to be produced. If not, the process passes to block 706.If a priming cue is to be produced, a priming cue may then be output atblock 704. In some embodiments, the third party may select the type ofpriming cue (e.g., haptic, audio, visual, or combinations thereof) to beprovided to the user. Alternatively, the type of priming cue that ispresented to the user can be based on how the user has configured his orher electronic device (e.g., with a preferences menu).

Next, as shown in blocks 706 and 708, the third party can transmit amessage to the electronic device and an alert may be output inconjunction with the message. Again, the third party may select the typeof alert (e.g., haptic, audio, visual, or combinations thereof) to beprovided to the user. Alternatively, the type of alert that is presentedto the user can be based on how the user has configured his or herelectronic device.

As one example, the Emergency Alert System may trigger the priming andalert system in the event of a national or regional emergency.Alternatively, a wireless emergency alert system such as the AMBER alertsystem can trigger the priming and alert system in an electronic device.As another example, a restaurant may trigger the priming and alertsystem to inform a user that a table is available for the user.Additionally, a transportation system, such as an airline or light railsystem can trigger the priming and alert system to inform a user thatthe plane is boarding or a light rail train is arriving or departingfrom a station.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a method of identifying andoutputting priming cues and alerts. The method of FIG. 8 can be used inconjunction with any one of the methods shown in FIGS. 4-7. Initially,as shown in block 800, a determination can be made as to whether or nota priming cue is to be output. If not, the process continues at block808. If a priming cue is to be produced, the type of priming cue isidentified at block 802. The type of priming cue may be identified basedon one or more factors. As one example, the type of alert to be producedcan influence the type of priming cue identified at block 802.Additionally or alternatively, the type of priming cue can be based on apreference set by the user. As one example, the user can select theactions that result in the generation of a priming cue, and associatedifferent types of priming cues with the select actions. One type ofpriming cue can be generated for the receipt of an email while anothertype of priming cue is output for the receipt of a text message.

In some embodiments, the type of priming cue identified at block 802 maybe a default priming cue set by a device manufacturer or by the user.Environmental conditions can influence the type of priming cueidentified at block 802. For example, output from one or more sensorscan be used to determine the type of priming cue. For example, in a darkenvironment, there may be no need for a priming cue to precede a visualalert because the impact of the visual alert will be magnified under thecircumstances. The same is true with respect to an audio alert in aquiet environment. Conversely, some environmental factors (e.g., noise,light) may increase the likelihood that the device will initiate apriming cue. Alternatively, a priming cue that is more likely to beperceived by the user can be selected based on temperature or humidity.For example, at lower temperatures it may be difficult for a user toperceive a priming cue due to additional clothing (heavy coat and hat orearmuffs) and/or because the colder temperatures reduces a user'ssensitivity to the priming cue. In this example situation, a priming cuethat the user is more likely to perceive may be selected (e.g., by aprocessing device).

Additionally or alternatively, as described earlier, an electronicdevice may detect a user has not interacted with the electronic devicewithin a given period of time and use this information to identify atype of priming cue. For example, a user may not have provided an inputon a touch screen for a given period of time, may not have provided avoice command to the device recently, or may have provided (or not) someother type of input within a period. As another option, the device maydetermine aspects of an environment through environmental sensors anduse that data to determine the type of a priming cue that wouldfacilitate perception of the alert. In some embodiments, a motion sensormay be used to determine if a user is walking, running, or engaging inphysical activity. If so, the device may identify a priming cue that ismore likely to be perceived by the user.

The identified priming cue is then output at block 804. A given periodof time may optionally pass at block 806 before a type of alert isidentified at block 808. Like the priming cue, the type of alert may beidentified based on one or more factors. If a priming cue is produced atblock 804, one factor that can influence the type of alert identified atblock 808 is the type of priming cue that is output at block 804.Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the example factorsdescribed in conjunction with identifying the type of priming cue can beused by the electronic device to identify an alert type at block 808.The identified alert is then output at block 810.

Various embodiments have been described in detail with particularreference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have beendescribed herein, it should be noted that the application is not limitedto these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respectto one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, wherecompatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may beexchanged, where compatible.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An electronic device, comprising: a haptic primingand alert system; a processing device operably connected to the hapticpriming and alert system and adapted to: detect a first alert conditionindicating the haptic priming and alert system should output a firsthaptic alert; in response to detecting the first alert condition, causethe haptic priming and alert system to output a default haptic primingcue before producing the first haptic alert; detect a second alertcondition different from the first alert condition and indicating thehaptic priming and alert system should output a second haptic alert; andin response to detecting the second alert condition, cause the hapticpriming and alert system to output the default haptic priming cue beforeproducing the second haptic alert; wherein: the default haptic primingcue, the first haptic alert, and the second haptic alert cause theelectronic device to vibrate.
 22. The electronic device as in claim 21,wherein the processing device is further adapted to cause the hapticpriming and alert system to produce the first haptic alert in responseto detecting the first alert condition and after outputting the defaulthaptic priming cue.
 23. The electronic device as in claim 22, whereinthe first haptic alert is separated in time from the default hapticpriming cue by a time delay.
 24. The electronic device as in claim 23,wherein the processing device is further adapted to determine a lengthof the time delay based on at least one of a duration or an intensity ofthe default haptic priming cue.
 25. The electronic device as in claim24, wherein: the time delay has a first length if the default hapticpriming cue has a first duration; and the time delay has a second lengthgreater than the first length if the default haptic priming cue has asecond duration greater than the first duration.
 26. The electronicdevice as in claim 24, wherein: the time delay has a first length if thedefault haptic priming cue has a first intensity; and the time delay hasa second length greater than the first length if the default hapticpriming cue has a second intensity less than the first intensity. 27.The electronic device as in claim 22, wherein the processing device isfurther adapted to cause the haptic priming and alert system to producethe second haptic alert in response to detecting the second alertcondition and after outputting the default haptic priming cue.
 28. Theelectronic device as in claim 27, wherein: the first haptic alert isseparated in time from the default haptic priming cue by a first timedelay; and the second haptic alert is separated in time from the defaulthaptic priming cue by a second time delay.
 29. The electronic device asin claim 28, wherein the first time delay and the second time delay arethe same length.
 30. A method for priming haptic alerts provided by anelectronic device, the method comprising: detecting an occurrence of afirst alert condition indicating a haptic priming and alert systemshould output a first haptic alert; in response to detecting the firstalert condition, outputting, by the haptic priming and alert system, adefault haptic priming cue before producing the first haptic alert;detecting a second alert condition different from the first alertcondition and indicating the haptic priming and alert system shouldoutput a second haptic alert; and in response to detecting the secondalert condition, outputting, by the haptic priming and alert system, thedefault haptic priming cue before producing the second haptic alert;wherein: the default haptic priming cue, the first haptic alert, and thesecond haptic alert cause the electronic device to vibrate.
 31. Themethod as in claim 30, further comprising, in response to detecting thefirst alert condition, producing, by the haptic priming and alertsystem, the first haptic alert after outputting the default hapticpriming cue.
 32. The method as in claim 31, wherein the first hapticalert is separated in time from the default haptic priming cue by a timedelay.
 33. The method as in claim 32, further comprising determining alength of the time delay based on at least one of a duration or anintensity of the default haptic priming cue.
 34. The method as in claim33 wherein: the time delay has a first length if the default hapticpriming cue has a first duration; and the time delay has a second lengthgreater than the first length if the default haptic priming cue has asecond duration greater than the first duration.
 35. The method as inclaim 33, wherein: the time delay has a first length if the defaulthaptic priming cue has a first intensity; and the time delay has asecond length greater than the first length if the default hapticpriming cue has a second intensity less than the first intensity. 36.The method as in claim 31, further comprising, in response to detectingthe second alert condition, producing, by the haptic priming and alertsystem, the second haptic alert after outputting the default hapticpriming cue.
 37. The method as in claim 36, wherein: the first hapticalert is separated in time from the default haptic priming cue by afirst time delay; and the second haptic alert is separated in time fromthe default haptic priming cue by a second time delay.
 38. The method asin claim 37, wherein the first time delay and the second time delay arethe same length.
 39. An electronic device, comprising: a haptic primingand alert system; a processing device operably connected to the hapticpriming and alert system and adapted to: detect an alert conditionindicating the haptic priming and alert system should output a hapticalert; in response to detecting the alert condition, determine whetherto output a haptic priming cue before the haptic alert based on at leastone of: an elapsed time from a user interaction with the electronicdevice; a detected user activity; a motion of the electronic device; oran operational state of the electronic device; and in response to adetermination to output the haptic priming cue, cause the haptic primingand alert system to output the haptic priming cue before producing thehaptic alert; wherein: the haptic priming cue and the haptic alert causethe electronic device to vibrate.
 40. The electronic device as in claim39, wherein the haptic alert is offset in time from the haptic primingcue by a period of time based on one or more characteristics of thehaptic priming cue.